Humidifying apparatus



Nov. 5, 1935. G. R. SIEFKEN 2,019,874

' HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS V Fil ed Jan. 17, 19:54

F/ ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE V 2,019,874 HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS George R. Siefken, New York, N. Y.

Application January 17, 1934, Serial No. 706,945

3 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for humidifying the atmosphere in rooms and is concerned more particularly with a novel apparatus which is used in connection with a steam radiator and functions to introduce substantial quantities of 'water vapor into the atmosphere while the radiator is being supplied with steam.

As is well known, one of the disadvantages of present steam heating systems is that they increase the temperature of the air in buildings without adding to the moisture content and, as a consequence, the relative humidity falls, and the air becomes dryer. This is harmful to the health of the occupants and, in addition, the furniture, etc., dries out'and substantial damage may be done. 7

Attempts have been made heretofore to provide for humidification of the air in steam heated rooms, but the expedients employed for the purpose have been either ineffective or costly to in stall and operate. Perhaps the commonest expedient is a pan filled with water and placed on top or against the side of the radiator; Although the water in the pan'evaporates and passes into the atmosphere, the amount of water vapor thus introduced into the atmosphere is so small as to be negligible and such a pan is practically without effect. 'Other devices employed include water jets with or without blowers or fans to oilculate the air through the jets. While such apparatus is effective, the expense involved in its installation and operation is frequently too high to permit its wide use. I

The present invention is accordingly directed to the provision of novel apparatus which may be used in conjunction with a steam radiator to provide an effective humidification at little expense, the steam supplied to the radiator being employed as the source of the moisture introduced into the atmosphere and the apparatus including control means by which the amount of water vapor entering the air may be regulated as desired.

The new apparatus is mounted on a steam radiator and it includes a chamber to which steam from the radiator is admitted through a valve, the valve being normally open but closed by the steam, if the steam pressure exceeds a selected maximum. The steam passes out of the chamber through a nozzle pipe which preferably extends along the top of the radiator, the pipe having a plurality of openings through which the steam may escape. In order that steam condensing in the nozzle pipe may not be discharged on the floor, a drip pan is placed beneath the pipe and the water collecting in it is then vaporized by the heat of the radiator and passes into the atmosphere.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which,

Fig. 1 is a view of the device in vertical section;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view partly in elevation of a modified construction.

In the drawing, the device is shown used in conjunction with a steam radiator ll] of conventional construction and provided with an air vent opening H into which is threaded a nipple 12 leading to an elbow l3. A pipe l4 leads up- 15 wardly from the elbow to a valve chamber l5.

The chamber l5 comprises a tubular body l5a, one end of which is closed by a plate I 6 having an opening into which the end of the pipe 14 is threaded. The end of the pipe projects inward 0 slightly beyond the inner face of the plate and forms a seat for'a light valve disc H. A tubular sleeve [8 rests on the inner face of the plate l6 and supports a plate l9 having an opening through it, the wall of the opening forming the seat of a 25 conical valve 20;

The valve 20 is mounted on the lower end of a stem 2|, and to the stem is attached an inverted cup 22. A second inverted cup 23 partially encloses cup 22 and the rim of cup 23 lies in a pool 30 of mercury 24in a channel in the upper face of the body 15. The stem 2| projects up beyond the cups and enters an opening in a boss 25 in a cover member 26 which fits over the upper end of the body and is provided with a vent 21.

The position of the cups 22 and 23 floating in the mercury is normally such that valve 20 is below its seat in plate I 9 and thus permits steam to pass through plate l9 into chamber 14, the amount of the opening of valve 20 being determined by weights 28 mounted on top of cup 23. Steam escapes from chamber I4 through nozzle pipe 29 which is provided with a plurality of openings 30, through which the steam may pass into the atmosphere. The pipe 28 lies within a drip pan 3 l, and steam condensed in the pipe 28 is collected in the pan. Preferably, the pipe lies over the top of the radiator with the pan resting on top of the radiator sections and water collecting in the pan is then vaporized by the heat of the radiator. If desired, the pipe 29 may extend along the side of the radiator, in which case, the pan will be mounted on the radiator to lie beneath the pipe.

In the operation of the device, the opening of the radiator supply valve permits the radiator to fill with steam, and air is expelled through the piping, valve chamber, and nozzle pipe, the valve disc i! being raised oif its seat and valve 20 being normally open. Steam then enters the valve chamber and is discharged into the atmosphere, this action continuing so long as the pressure of the steam does not rise beyond a selected maximum. Whenever the selected pressure is exceeded, the steam raises the cups 22 and 23 and there by moves the valve 20 toward its seat. The amount of steam discharged through the nozzle is thus regulated in accordance with the steam pressure and the valve normally remains open:-

although it may be closed by the steam, if the pressure rises too high. By the use of different weights, the pressure required to-close the valve 20 may be regulated, and thereby the amount of steam discharged into the atmosphere may be controlled. r

In Fig. 3, there is illustrated a modified valve chamber construction, in which the valve 20 is mounted on a stem 32 attached to the lower end of a hollow cylindricalmember 33. On the upper end of the member is mounted the cup 23 carrying the weights 28. The rim of cup 23 enters the mercury bath 24 as before, and the up and down movements of the member 32 are guided by the stem 34 which enters the opening in boss 25 on cover member 26.

In both forms of the device illustrated, the valve 20 is closed by entrance of water into the chamber I5. This occasionally occurs if conden sate is trapped in the'radiator or its supply line and when water enters the chamber containing the cup 22, air is trapped in the cup and as the water rises in the chamber, the cup 22 is raised and valve 20 is closed. In the construction shown in Fig. 3, the hollow cylindrical member acts as a float and rises with the rise 'in the water level to shut the valve 20.

In the apparatusillustrated, the nozzle pipe rests on the bottom of the drip pan and the nozzle openings are in the sides of the'pipe. If desired, the

ipe may be mounted to be somewhat above the bottom ofthe pan, and also, the nozzle'openings may be near or at the top of the pipe. With the pipe above the pan, water collecting in the pan does not lie above the nozzle openings and the issuance of the steam is silent.

, end wall of the chamber, said member having a portion extending down a substantial distance into the chamber and having a surface exposed to fluid entering said chamber, a pipe receiving fluid from said radiator and leading to said chamber at a point below said portion of said float member, a normally open valve controlling communication between said pipe and chamber, a 5

rod connected to said float member and carrying said valve, said valve being closed upon application to said member of a lifting force in excess of a predetermined maximum, an outlet from said chamber lying above the lower end of said portion of the float member, and aperforated outlet pipe leading from said outlet and extending along said radiator in proximity thereto.

2. A humidifying device adapted for use in association with a steam radiator which comprises achamber, a float member constituting the upper end wall of the chamber, said member having a portion extending down a substantial distance into the chamber and having a surface exposed to fluid entering said chamber, a pipe receiving 20 fluid from said radiator and leading to said chamber at a point below said portion of said float member, a normally open valve controlling communication between said pipe and chamber, a rod connected to said float member and carrying 5 said valve, said valve being closed upon application to said member of a lifting force in excess of a predetermined maximum, an outlet from said chamber lying above the lower end of said portion of the float member, a perforated outlet pipe leading from said outlet, and a drip pan mounted on said radiator and extending horizontally along the latter, said outlet pipe lying within said pan below the top thereof.

'3. A humidifying device adapted for use in as- 35 sociation with a steam radiator which comprises a chamber, a float member constituting the upper end wall of the chamber, said member having a portion extending down a substantial distance into the chamber and having a surface exposed to fluid entering said chamber, a pipe receiving fluid from said radiator and leading to said chamber at a point below said portion of said float member, a normally open valve controlling communication between said pipe and chamber, a rod connected to said float member and carrying said valve, said valve being closed upon 'application to said member of a lifting force in excess of a predetermined maximum, a check valve in said chamber between said pipe and normally open valve, an outlet from said chamber lying above the lower end of said portion of the float member, and a perforated outlet pipe leading from said outlet and extending along said radiator in proximity thereto.

GEORGE R. SIEFKEN. 

